Strawberry Shortcake, the winsome character first seen on greeting cards, is the most popular toy this Christmas. Here, two are aboard one of many licensed accessories, Flitter-Bit.Published Nov. 29, 1981

Strawberry Shortcake, the winsome character first seen on greeting cards, is the most popular toy this Christmas. Here, two are aboard one of many licensed accessories, Flitter-Bit.Published Nov. 29, 1981

Photo: Picasa, Chronicle File

Strawberry Shortcake, the winsome character first seen on greeting... Photo-4171222.56574 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Toy manufacturers say that the focus of their business in 1981 will be on more traditional items, such as Snoopy and Woodstock stuffed dolls displayed at a Houston store.Published February 13, 1981

Toy manufacturers say that the focus of their business in 1981 will be on more traditional items, such as Snoopy and Woodstock stuffed dolls displayed at a Houston store.Published February 13, 1981

Photo: Steve Ueckert, Chronicle File

Toy manufacturers say that the focus of their business in 1981 will... Photo-4171223.56574 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.56574 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Raggedy Andy is a giant when seen from a child s angle of about 3 feet tall.Published Dec. 22, 1971

Raggedy Andy is a giant when seen from a child s angle of about 3 feet tall.Published Dec. 22, 1971

Photo: Darrell Davidson, Chronicle File

Raggedy Andy is a giant when seen from a child s angle of about 3... Photo-4171224.56574 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Stop, Look and Learn in the Village has a story hour for kids every Saturday morning. Here, Sara Kate Goodwin, left, and Laura Moser, both 6, play with puppets in the store s book room.Published March 24, 1984

Stop, Look and Learn in the Village has a story hour for kids every Saturday morning. Here, Sara Kate Goodwin, left, and Laura Moser, both 6, play with puppets in the store s book room.Published March 24, 1984

Photo: Carrie Beth Tucker, Chronicle File

Stop, Look and Learn in the Village has a story hour for kids every... Photo-4171225.56574 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Even a freight train would have trouble smashing these durable toys. Julie Quayle, left, plays with stacking blocks, while brother William, 2, answers an Ambi phone, both from Splendid Childhood.Published March 24, 1984 less

Even a freight train would have trouble smashing these durable toys. Julie Quayle, left, plays with stacking blocks, while brother William, 2, answers an Ambi phone, both from Splendid Childhood.Published March ... more

Photo: E. Joseph Deering, Chronicle File

Even a freight train would have trouble smashing these durable... Photo-4171226.56574 - Beaumont Enterprise

A youngster pauses to daydream of Santa Claus goodies at the Styrofoam winterland scene of downtown Foley s department store. Shop windows all over the city are springing forth with snowflakes and cardboard reindeer heralding the Christmas shopping season.Published Dec. 3, 1973 less

A youngster pauses to daydream of Santa Claus goodies at the Styrofoam winterland scene of downtown Foley s department store. Shop windows all over the city are springing forth with snowflakes and cardboard ... more

Surrounded by toys, Laura Scherler, 3, can t find a thing to do. John Boehme, a playground designer and builder, says there are many valid reasons why kids won t play with their toys. One reason might be the difference between play and mastery. Play activity, where a child really puts himself into something, begins as the youngster s personality starts developing.Published Sept. 15, 1980 less

Surrounded by toys, Laura Scherler, 3, can t find a thing to do. John Boehme, a playground designer and builder, says there are many valid reasons why kids won t play with their toys. One reason might be the ... more